]]>We love receiving and reading you have to say as your reviews matter to us. It’s this kind of input that helps us to be better at what we do. We really do appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your experience at Randburg Midas.

Kerwin Kaycee Christopher
“Best service, really enjoying the service, if you need anything it can be sourced immediately, follow up calls and you have your stock in the palms in your hand, keep it up Randburg Midas, others should learn from you”.
5-star rating

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/your-reviews-matter/feed/0Bad news for motoristshttps://midasrandburg.co.za/bad-news-for-motorists/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/bad-news-for-motorists/#respondTue, 18 Sep 2018 08:53:47 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=3025Bad news for motorists: Biggest petrol, diesel price hike ‘in SA’s history’ “Mid-month unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is predicting the biggest fuel price hike in South Africa’s history by some margin,” reports the Automobile Association (AA) which has monitored the fuel price data from 1 September to date. The AA said: “A spike in international oil prices and a huge swing in the Rand/US dollar exchange rate have combined to predict a knockout blow at the pumps at the end of September. “Based on the current data, petrol users will be paying R1.12 more per litre.” The AA says diesel users who will be hit hardest, with a possible price hike of R1.38 per litre, pushing diesel to within a whisker of R16 per litre. The AA said: “To put this in perspective, should this increase materialise, it will push the price of 93 unleaded octane fuel inland close to R17 a litre, off a January price of R14.20 – a total increase of around 20%, year-to-date.” The Association also points out that a massive hike in the diesel price will be especially catastrophic for the agricultural sector which is already reeling from the prolonged drought. It says that extreme fuel price hikes could push marginal businesses, including farms, to a financial breaking point, and have a massive negative impact of consumer pricing. “While we earnestly hope the picture improves before month end, we once again call on the government to urgently address the policy and structural issues which have put fuel users in the front line of the Rand’s weakness,” the AA concludes. How will you survive this massive fuel hike? How has it affected your monthly budget? Let us know in the comments below. We would like to end off by giving a shout out to Wheels 24 for sharing this great article. For more information: Call or WhatsApp (082) 882-6324 | (011) 789-4411 / (011) 036-0200 | marco@midasrandburg.co.za | 191 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg. We want to see you! Show us your auto styling projects @RandburgMidas Source: https://www.wheels24.co.za/Fuel_Focus/motorists-to-be-hit-extremely-hard-with-upcoming-monster-fuel-hikes-aa-20180913

“Mid-month unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is predicting the biggest fuel price hike in South Africa’s history by some margin,” reports the Automobile Association (AA) which has monitored the fuel price data from 1 September to date.

The AA said: “A spike in international oil prices and a huge swing in the Rand/US dollar exchange rate have combined to predict a knockout blow at the pumps at the end of September.

“Based on the current data, petrol users will be paying R1.12 more per litre.”

The AA says diesel users who will be hit hardest, with a possible price hike of R1.38 per litre, pushing diesel to within a whisker of R16 per litre.

The AA said: “To put this in perspective, should this increase materialise, it will push the price of 93 unleaded octane fuel inland close to R17 a litre, off a January price of R14.20 – a total increase of around 20%, year-to-date.”

The Association also points out that a massive hike in the diesel price will be especially catastrophic for the agricultural sector which is already reeling from the prolonged drought.

It says that extreme fuel price hikes could push marginal businesses, including farms, to a financial breaking point, and have a massive negative impact of consumer pricing.

“While we earnestly hope the picture improves before month end, we once again call on the government to urgently address the policy and structural issues which have put fuel users in the front line of the Rand’s weakness,” the AA concludes.

How will you survive this massive fuel hike? How has it affected your monthly budget? Let us know in the comments below.

We would like to end off by giving a shout out to Wheels 24 for sharing this great article.

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/bad-news-for-motorists/feed/0Car safety features to look out forhttps://midasrandburg.co.za/car-safety-features-to-look-out-for/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/car-safety-features-to-look-out-for/#respondSun, 09 Sep 2018 06:00:41 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=2087With new innovation in the automotive industry, there has been great headway made in the overall safety of vehicles. So let’s see what the key safety features to look out for when buying a new car are. A big thanks to Giorgio Express for the great article! Whether you’re shopping for a used or new car, it’s important to spend time making sure it’s safe. First off, you should take a test drive and try on the seat belt to make sure it fits well and is comfortable. Check that head restraint, roof structures, and windshield designs don’t interfere with your ability to see clearly. And try to conduct your test drive in the evening so you can check the visibility provided by the headlights. To help you better understand what to look for we have put together this list. Seat Belts In the event of a crash, seat belts are designed to keep you inside the vehicle. They also reduce the risk that you will collide with the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. New seat belt designs have the following additional features that improve seat belt performance: Adjustable upper belts. An adjustable upper belt lets you change the position of the shoulder strap to accommodate a person’s size. This feature may encourage passengers to wear their belts since it increases shoulder belt comfort. Seat belt pre-tensioner. Pre-tensioners retract the seat belt to remove excess slack, almost instantly, in a crash. However, you still need to adjust your seat belt so that it fits as snugly as possible since pre-tensioners are not powerful enough to pull you back into your seat in the event of an impact. Energy management features. Energy management features allow seat belts to “give” or yield during a severe crash to prevent forces on the shoulder belt from concentrating too much energy on your chest. These features include “load limiters” built into the shoulder belt retractor and/or “tear stitching” in the webbing that causes the seat belt to extend gradually. Rear centre seat lap/shoulder belts. Some manufacturers provide a rear centre lap/shoulder belt. This added feature is especially beneficial to older children and children in booster seats who are often seated in the rear centre position. Air Bags Depending on the speed at impact and the stiffness of the object struck, front airbags inflate to prevent occupants from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, and windshield. Side airbags reduce the risk...

]]>With new innovation in the automotive industry, there has been great headway made in the overall safety of vehicles. So let’s see what the key safety features to look out for when buying a new car are.

A big thanks to Giorgio Express for the great article!

Whether you’re shopping for a used or new car, it’s important to spend time making sure it’s safe. First off, you should take a test drive and try on the seat belt to make sure it fits well and is comfortable. Check that head restraint, roof structures, and windshield designs don’t interfere with your ability to see clearly. And try to conduct your test drive in the evening so you can check the visibility provided by the headlights.

To help you better understand what to look for we have put together this list.

Seat Belts
In the event of a crash, seat belts are designed to keep you inside the vehicle. They also reduce the risk that you will collide with the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. New seat belt designs have the following additional features that improve seat belt performance:

Adjustable upper belts. An adjustable upper belt lets you change the position of the shoulder strap to accommodate a person’s size. This feature may encourage passengers to wear their belts since it increases shoulder belt comfort.

Seat belt pre-tensioner. Pre-tensioners retract the seat belt to remove excess slack, almost instantly, in a crash. However, you still need to adjust your seat belt so that it fits as snugly as possible since pre-tensioners are not powerful enough to pull you back into your seat in the event of an impact.

Energy management features. Energy management features allow seat belts to “give” or yield during a severe crash to prevent forces on the shoulder belt from concentrating too much energy on your chest. These features include “load limiters” built into the shoulder belt retractor and/or “tear stitching” in the webbing that causes the seat belt to extend gradually.

Rear centre seat lap/shoulder belts. Some manufacturers provide a rear centre lap/shoulder belt. This added feature is especially beneficial to older children and children in booster seats who are often seated in the rear centre position.

Air Bags
Depending on the speed at impact and the stiffness of the object struck, front airbags inflate to prevent occupants from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, and windshield. Side airbags reduce the risk that occupants will hit the door or objects that crash through it.

Although airbags provide life-saving benefits for the vast majority of people, there are situations in which airbag deployment can have adverse effects, such as when occupants are unbelted. Front airbags do not eliminate the need for seatbelts and are not designed to offer protection in rollovers, rear, or side impacts. In fact, maximum airbag effectiveness depends upon seat belts, which help keep you in place should a collision occur. You can significantly reduce the risk of injury from an airbag by buckling your seat belt and keeping about 10 inches or more between your breastbone and the airbag.

Children can be killed or seriously injured by an airbag, so you should always put children age 12 and under in the rear seat. You should never use a rear-facing child seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a front passenger air bag unless the airbag is off.

Head Injury Protection
Head injury protection consists of foam or other energy absorbing material under the trim of the vehicle interior and is likely to be invisible to vehicle occupants. Some vehicles have head airbags. While all head airbags are designed to deploy in side impacts, some are also designed to deploy during rollovers. Both types of airbags are designed to help protect occupants from injuries caused when their head strikes the upper interior of a vehicle.

Head Restraints
Head restraints are extensions of the vehicle’s seats that limit head movement during a rear-impact crash, thus, reducing the probability of neck injury. Head restraints meeting specific size and strength requirements are required in front seats, but not in rear seats. While you must adjust most head restraints manually, some adjust automatically with changes in seat position or dynamically in a crash. In general, dynamic head restraints provide the best protection.

Antilock Brake System
An antilock brake system (ABS) prevents a vehicle’s wheels from locking during “panic” braking, which allows the driver to maintain greater steering control — a key factor in avoiding a collision. However, an ABS does not guarantee your ability to avoid a crash. Furthermore, you still may lose control when driving at excessive speeds or when using extreme steering manoeuvres.

Learning to use the ABS correctly will provide you with the greatest benefit from the system.

All passenger cars equipped with ABS have four-wheel ABS. Sport utility vehicles, trucks, and vans equipped with ABS can have either four-wheel or two-wheel ABS. Four-wheel ABS monitor and control all the wheels of the vehicle, while two-wheel ABS only monitor and control the rear wheels of a vehicle.

Some ABS’s also include brake assist, which senses emergency braking by detecting the speed or force at which the driver presses the brake pedal and boosts the power as needed. Under certain conditions, brake assist may reach the braking force needed to activate the ABS more quickly and easily compared with vehicles without brake assist, and can potentially reduce overall stopping distance by eliminating the delay caused by not braking hard enough or soon enough.

Traction Control
Traction control systems improve vehicle stability by controlling the amount the drive wheels can slip when you apply excess power. The system automatically adjusts the engine power output and, in some systems, applies braking force to selected wheels during acceleration. Traction control is mainly found in vehicles with four-wheel antilock brake systems.

All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive distributes power to both front and rear wheels to maximize traction. Unless combined with traction control, all-wheel drive systems do not prevent the drive wheels from slipping when you apply excess power during acceleration.

Electronic Stability Control
Electronic stability control (which is offered under various trade names) is designed to assist drivers in maintaining control of their vehicles during extreme steering manoeuvres. Electronic stability control senses when a vehicle is starting to spin out (oversteer) or plough out (understeer), and it automatically applies the brake to a single wheel. It is intended to reduce the occurrence of crashes in which vehicles veer off the road and strike curbs, soft shoulders, guard rails and other objects that initiate rollovers. However, it can’t keep a vehicle on the road if its speed is simply too great for the curve and the available traction.

Weight
Crash data show that heavy vehicles offer more protection than light vehicles with the same safety equipment, particularly in two-vehicle crashes.

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/car-safety-features-to-look-out-for/feed/0Awesome Facebook storehttps://midasrandburg.co.za/awesome-facebook-store/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/awesome-facebook-store/#commentsTue, 14 Aug 2018 09:27:10 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=3007Have you seen our awesome Facebook store yet? Have a look now to see some of the latest special offers and hottest products on offer. Click here to visit it now. We have got something for everyone. So regardless if you are looking for a simple multimeter or complete clutch kit, you can rest assured knowing you will find exactly what you are looking for at Randburg Midas. For more information: Call or WhatsApp (082) 882-6324 | (011) 789-4411 / (011) 036-0200 | marco@midasrandburg.co.za | 191 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg. We want to see you! Show us your auto styling projects @RandburgMidas

We have got something for everyone. So regardless if you are looking for a simple multimeter or complete clutch kit, you can rest assured knowing you will find exactly what you are looking for at Randburg Midas.

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/awesome-facebook-store/feed/2Know your rights at a roadblockhttps://midasrandburg.co.za/know-your-rights-at-a-roadblock/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/know-your-rights-at-a-roadblock/#respondTue, 31 Jul 2018 06:00:02 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=2468With the holiday season upon us, so the police presence on the roads will increase. Know your rights if and when you are stopped either in a roadblock or by a police officer. To start off we would like to say thanks to Anthony Whatmore for this great article and information. Below are some articles giving advice on what to do when being pulled over. Understand that these articles are guides and do not replace the advice of your lawyer. Most drivers are uncertain of what their rights are when stopped at roadblocks or confronted with suspicious police behaviour. Be aware of these points when confronted by real or alleged police officers: Note that under South African Law uniformed South African Police Service members (SAPS) have the same powers as uniformed traffic officers (JMPD) or other Metropolitan police forces.* *The word police used in the body of this document refers to both of the above. Roadblocks If stopped at a roadblock you have the right to: • Ask for the person’s police certificate of appointment which includes his picture, name, rank, force number and where stationed: Section 334 (2) (a) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 • If these details are not given, you can ask to see the roadblock commander or most senior officer on the scene • If you have any doubt about the authenticity of the roadblock, you can ask to be taken to the closest police station • If the roadblock is legal, you have the right to ask what its purpose is. Even so, the person is not compelled to tell you if the reason is classified. The number of vehicles being stopped may indicate the status of the roadblock • You have the right to be treated with respect at all times and have the further right to get the details of any officer who has treated you unjustly • You must co-operate with all reasonable instructions, but you can question your position should you feel that a violation of your constitutional rights or your rights under the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977 is occurring • You must at all times treat any officer with respect and the dignity attached to his rank and office, although you may be firm in upholding your legal rights • You must identify yourself as the driver of the vehicle and supply proof of your driving license. Your constitutional...

]]>With the holiday season upon us, so the police presence on the roads will increase. Know your rights if and when you are stopped either in a roadblock or by a police officer.

To start off we would like to say thanks to Anthony Whatmore for this great article and information.

Below are some articles giving advice on what to do when being pulled over. Understand that these articles are guides and do not replace the advice of your lawyer.

Most drivers are uncertain of what their rights are when stopped at roadblocks or confronted with suspicious police behaviour.

Be aware of these points when confronted by real or alleged police officers:
Note that under South African Law uniformed South African Police Service members (SAPS) have the same powers as uniformed traffic officers (JMPD) or other Metropolitan police forces.*

*The word police used in the body of this document refers to both of the above.

Roadblocks

If stopped at a roadblock you have the right to:

• Ask for the person’s police certificate of appointment which includes his picture, name, rank, force number and where stationed: Section 334 (2) (a) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
• If these details are not given, you can ask to see the roadblock commander or most senior officer on the scene
• If you have any doubt about the authenticity of the roadblock, you can ask to be taken to the closest police station
• If the roadblock is legal, you have the right to ask what its purpose is. Even so, the person is not compelled to tell you if the reason is classified. The number of vehicles being stopped may indicate the status of the roadblock
• You have the right to be treated with respect at all times and have the further right to get the details of any officer who has treated you unjustly
• You must co-operate with all reasonable instructions, but you can question your position should you feel that a violation of your constitutional rights or your rights under the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977 is occurring
• You must at all times treat any officer with respect and the dignity attached to his rank and office, although you may be firm in upholding your legal rights
• You must identify yourself as the driver of the vehicle and supply proof of your driving license.

Your constitutional rights if detained or arrested:

The following are your legal rights in terms of the Constitution of the RSA, Act 108 of 1996.
Section 35 thereof deals with the rights of arrested, detained and accused persons:
• You have the right to remain silent: Sec.35(1)(a)
• To be informed promptly of
-The right to remain silent: Sec. 35(1)(b)(i)
-The consequences of not remaining silent: Sec. (35)(1)(b)(ii)
• You cannot be forced to make a confession or admission that can be used in evidence against you: Sec. (35)(c)
• To be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but this must not be later than: – 48 hours after the arrest Sec. 35(1)(d)(i)
• Be informed of the reason for your continued detention: Sec. 35(1)(e), Sec. 35(2)(a)
• To be released subject to reasonable conditions: Sec. 35(1)(f)
• To choose and to consult with a lawyer of your choice and to be informed of this right: Sec. 35(2)(b)
• To have a lawyer appointed to defend you by the state if you cannot afford a lawyer and to be informed of this right: Sec. 35(2)(c).

The above is your most important rights at this stage. Be prepared by learning these basic citizen’s rights. Should a confrontation occur, you will exude confidence and legal awareness and should not constantly refer to this document during the incident?

Unpaid traffic fines

If at the roadblock it is alleged that you have outstanding or unpaid fines, the police have the right to detain you if they can show you a legitimate warrant of arrest or a valid copy.
If the police cannot show you a legitimate warrant or copy, you have the right not to be arrested. If the police persist with the arrest without a warrant, you have the right to immediately call your lawyer.
If the police ask you to pay any outstanding fine(s) and you do not have the money available, you might be detained until the fines are paid, if a warrant was issued. In these circumstances it’s best to contact your lawyer.
We suggest that you keep the receipts of paid fines in your car, so that you can immediately produce proof should a dispute arise about non-payment of fines and your possible arrest.
Keynote: Ensure that you have your lawyer’s cell phone number listed in your own cell phone.

Bribery

Note that under no circumstances must you attempt to elicit a bribe, or you must immediately distance yourself from the
suggested bribe. The consequences of bribing a police officer, or attempting to do so, far outweigh those of the fine itself.
This act amounts to attempting to defeat the ends of justice, which holds a separate legal sanction and for which you can be prosecuted.
Practically speaking, by paying a bribe, you are just perpetuating a demand for corruption.

These materials are courtesy of the Stop Corruption campaign conceived by the Parkview Community Policing Forum

YOU’RE GUIDE TO STOPPING AT ROADBLOCKS – According to Fight against crime South Africa

Understand if it’s an official roadblock

There are two different types of roadblocks. The first are informal roadblocks set up at random by the police. The second are K78 roadblocks, which are approved by the provisional commissioner and possibly policed by the traffic police, the South African Police Service and even South African Revenue Services officials.

In a K78 roadblock, the police are entitled to search your vehicle and can even go to a full body search if they have reason to suspect that you are hiding something. “You can ask to see the authorisation proving that the roadblock is legitimate, but this does escalate the situation immediately, and our experience has shown that the situation can get nasty fast.”

Simply put, it is better to comply than to resist whether it is an unofficial or official roadblock.

Dealing with outstanding traffic fines

According to Dembrovsky, there is no provision in South African law that allows the police to set up roadblocks and demand that you pay your outstanding fines. “There is only a provision for a warrant to be issued for your arrest if you do not appear in court for a criminal summons, which can also be extended to the non-payment of traffic fines, but police at a roadblock would not have these warrants on their person.”

Regardless, the South African police persist in establishing illegal roadblocks that use license plate recognition to check whether you have any outstanding fines. While the process itself may be illegal, if the fine is legitimate, the best way to deal with this situation is simply to pay what’s owed.

Accept a Breathalyzer test

If a testing point for drunk driving has been set up, Dembrovsky says that you aren’t legally obliged to agree to a Breathalyzer, but that you should. This is because if you don’t comply, the police have grounds to arrest you and perform a blood test.

In South Africa, the legal limit for breath alcohol is 0.24mg per 1 000ml or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml. “The police will sometimes exchange one limit for another to persuade you that you are over the limit after you’ve been breathalysed,” says Dembrovsky.

For this reason, he advises all South Africans who intend to drive to avoid alcohol altogether. “In this way, there can be no dispute about whether or not you are over the limit,” he says.

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS AT A ROADBLOCK – According to Rick Crouch, eThekwini Municipality, Ward 10

Authorities at a roadblock are required to follow correct legal procedures. Below are some guidelines about motorists’ rights and roadblock laws:

A warrant with the details of the outstanding traffic ticket must be provided before any motorist can be arrested at a traffic roadblock. An electronic warrant is acceptable, provided the information comes from an authorised official and includes adequate details.

You have the right to request a copy of the warrant at a roadblock, and if none is provided, an arrest would be illegal.

If you are arrested, you should be taken to a South African Police Services station as soon as possible.

It is illegal to hold arrested motorists in a police vehicle or similar detention area while the police officers at the roadblock continue with their duties.

You have the right to legal representation and a fair trial.

You have the right not to be compelled to make an admission of guilt.

A recent hoax email encouraged motorists to resist arrest at roadblocks, but the Law Society of SA advises drivers to instead pay their outstanding fines and then tackle the legal matters.

Any threats or request for a bribe from a police officer at a roadblock are illegal. Similarly, it is illegal for you to threaten an officer or offer them a bribe.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS WHEN STOPPED BY A TRAFFIC OFFICER? – According to the AA

A uniformed police officer has the right to stop any vehicle at any time. If you are stopped by the police, you are obliged to give your name and address, if required, and any other particulars concerning your identity. You are entitled, however, to ask such a person, whether in uniform or not, for proof of identity. You may demand to see their appointment certificate (identity card).

The Criminal Procedure Act is very clear in stating that an officer who cannot or will not provide an appointment certificate on demand is in violation of the Act and that any actions that he or she takes will be unlawful if such a certificate is not provided. In terms of the National Road Traffic Act, a traffic officer does have the authority to demand your driver’s license, which by law must be kept on the driver’s person or in the vehicle. In some cases, the license must be shown to a police officer at any police station within seven days. A police officer may order that the use of a vehicle considered un-roadworthy be discontinued immediately. They may, alternatively, specify that the vehicle may only be used for a limited period or to reach a specific destination. They are empowered to remove the clearance certificate (license disc) from the windscreen.

When stopped in a roadblock, traffic authorities regularly try to create the impression that you have no option but to settle your fines there and then under threat of arrest. The fact is that they cannot under any circumstances arrest or detain you (same thing) for an outstanding traffic fine for which there is no warrant of arrest.

They may serve you with a summons to appear in court, as long as the court date on that summons is at least 14 days in the future (Sundays and public holidays excluded) but they may not force you to pay there and then.

If a law enforcement official wants to arrest you, you have the responsibility not to resist arrest in any way.

A male officer may not physically search a female and vice versa

The Constitution forbids arbitrary search and seizure of your person, your property or possessions. If you are stopped by law enforcement officials they must have a valid belief that you may have been involved in the commission of a crime and that a search warrant would be issued by a Magistrate or Judge if they wish to search you or your vehicle and/or seize your possessions.

This applies to “random pull-overs” where you are singled out by law enforcement authorities.

It does not apply to properly constituted roadblocks where search and seizure are in fact authorised prior to the roadblock being set up.

If you are arrested, you must be informed of your rights immediately when you are arrested. If you are arrested, you must be taken directly to a police station. Driving around with you in the back of a vehicle for extended periods of time is not acceptable.

If you are detained, you have the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of your detention.

In most cases, you will have the right to apply for and be granted bail at the police station. It is only in the case of serious crimes that your application for bail can only be heard by a court.

You will be informed on what date and in which court you are required to appear.

You will have to pay an amount as is set down to guarantee your appearance in court.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT A ROADBLOCK – According to Bona

The festive season is here and while many of you are looking forward to the end of year parties, the police have also made it a priority to increase their presence on the roads.

Head of FNB’s Law on Call, Tertius Bossert says imperative that you know your rights should you be stopped at a roadblock.

Here 3 things you might not know.

Getting stopped at a roadblock

“When you are stopped at a roadblock, the law enforcement officer will ask you for your personal details, of these you are obliged to give your name and address. Similarly, you are entitled to ask an officer for proof of identity,” says Bossert.

You may not be arrested for any outstanding traffic fines if there is no warrant of arrest for the fines. However, if you have given the officer cause to arrest you, it is not advisable to resist arrest.

If you are arrested

“If the officer arrests you; he is required to read you your rights immediately, and he must take you directly to a police station, nowhere else,” explains Bossert.

Depending on what you are arrested for, you will have the right to apply for bail at the police station. If ‘after-hours’ bail is not granted to you, you have the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of your arrest.

Know the law

Bossert also suggests that you take some time to familiarise yourself with the laws of the country and the bylaws of your own city or town, especially regarding drinking and driving, unpaid speeding or traffic fines and even smaller matters like the use of fireworks in your community, and ensure that you enjoy yourself within the limits of these laws.

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/know-your-rights-at-a-roadblock/feed/0Improve your braai food photography skillshttps://midasrandburg.co.za/improve-your-braai-food-photography-skills/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/improve-your-braai-food-photography-skills/#respondTue, 17 Jul 2018 06:00:40 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=2442We would like to wish all South African’s an amazing and happy Heritage Day. To celebrate we would like to share these awesome tips to improve your braai food photography skills. If you follow these easy photo hacks you will be capturing that perfect braai memory that will last a lifetime! So let’s jump right in! When Shooting Outside, Avoid Shooting in Direct Sunlight – even though Braai’s looks great in sunlight to the naked eye, shooting in direct sunlight can lead to harsh images that have high contrast, blown out highlights, bad shadows and colours (such as BBQ sauce) that often appear overly saturated. Move into the shade, make your own shade, or wait for some cloud coverage. You’ll find that diffused light evens things out and that beautiful chops will shine every time. When Shooting Inside, Find the Light – Short of investing in proper studio lighting, shooting a great braai image indoors is a pretty tall order. The artificial light in homes and restaurants, whether standard or florescent is simply not ideal. Diffused sunlight is still your best bet, and there’s usually at least one window that does the trick. Choose a window with lots of natural sunlight pouring in and use that light. However, the rule about direct sunlight still applies, so you’ll likely need to diffuse or soften the light. Try taping large pieces of white parchment paper over the entire window to act as a diffuser. You can also use a sheer white fabric curtain, a plain white bed sheet, or even a lightly opaque shower curtain… a clean one. Vary Your Angles – I often shoot an image three ways, (1) directly overhead looking straight down, (2) at about a 45 degree angle, and (3) just about parallel with the food. You can shoot the same food at these 3 perspectives and get 3 very different images. Every now and then I’ll shoot at, what’s known in the biz, as a Dutch angle. This is where you tilt the camera to create a slanted horizon line. Shoot Close – Zoom in tight on the food and really fill the frame with that delicious braai meal. I want people to almost taste the image. Sure, you can always crop an image later, but it never feels quite the same. Shooting tight will also give you those great shallow depth of field images that really make an image stand...

]]>We would like to wish all South African’s an amazing and happy Heritage Day. To celebrate we would like to share these awesome tips to improve your braai food photography skills.

If you follow these easy photo hacks you will be capturing that perfect braai memory that will last a lifetime! So let’s jump right in!

When Shooting Outside, Avoid Shooting in Direct Sunlight – even though Braai’s looks great in sunlight to the naked eye, shooting in direct sunlight can lead to harsh images that have high contrast, blown out highlights, bad shadows and colours (such as BBQ sauce) that often appear overly saturated. Move into the shade, make your own shade, or wait for some cloud coverage. You’ll find that diffused light evens things out and that beautiful chops will shine every time.

When Shooting Inside, Find the Light – Short of investing in proper studio lighting, shooting a great braai image indoors is a pretty tall order. The artificial light in homes and restaurants, whether standard or florescent is simply not ideal. Diffused sunlight is still your best bet, and there’s usually at least one window that does the trick. Choose a window with lots of natural sunlight pouring in and use that light. However, the rule about direct sunlight still applies, so you’ll likely need to diffuse or soften the light. Try taping large pieces of white parchment paper over the entire window to act as a diffuser. You can also use a sheer white fabric curtain, a plain white bed sheet, or even a lightly opaque shower curtain… a clean one.

Vary Your Angles – I often shoot an image three ways, (1) directly overhead looking straight down, (2) at about a 45 degree angle, and (3) just about parallel with the food. You can shoot the same food at these 3 perspectives and get 3 very different images. Every now and then I’ll shoot at, what’s known in the biz, as a Dutch angle. This is where you tilt the camera to create a slanted horizon line.

Shoot Close – Zoom in tight on the food and really fill the frame with that delicious braai meal. I want people to almost taste the image. Sure, you can always crop an image later, but it never feels quite the same. Shooting tight will also give you those great shallow depth of field images that really make an image stand out.

Take Action Shots – It’s not only about the finished product and I love to get images of people creating their secret braai sauce. I’m drawn to cooks throwing dry rub, slicing fat steak and ribs, pulling pork shoulder, and assembling that perfect plate for their guests. Their faces, their movements, their passion… these are always great images.

Look Past the Obvious – Braaing is a beautiful mess and I love shooting things like a messy pot of sauce, a dirty knife laying on an equally dirty cutting board just after the meat was sliced, or a saucy basting brush… things like that. I find it really helps tell the whole story of braai.

Edit! – All digital photos need some level of editing to make them pop, especially RAW images. And unless you’re a professional photographer, you don’t have to spend a fortune on photo editing software. In fact, there are many free photo-editing programs you can download for both PC and MAC and mobile users. I like programs such as Picasa, GIMP, Paint.net and even iPhoto. The most basic software will include key features that adjust brightness/contrast, hue/saturation and image sharpening. Think about all of the time and effort that goes into making that outstanding Braai. The least you can do is take some time to properly edit the images.

I hope these tips help you capture that perfect braai image this Heritage Day.

We would also like to end off by giving a shout out and say thank you to Grilling with Rich for the awesome article and tips.

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/improve-your-braai-food-photography-skills/feed/0Tips on fuel-efficient drivinghttps://midasrandburg.co.za/tips-on-fuel-efficient-driving/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/tips-on-fuel-efficient-driving/#respondThu, 21 Jun 2018 08:28:41 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=2973With yet another petrol price increase looming, here are some tips on fuel-efficient driving and car maintenance that will help you stretch your paycheque further. If you own a company with a fleet of cars, it’s a great idea to circulate this article through the workplace to also help in reducing company vehicle fuel expenditure. It’s as simple as making minor tweaks and changes to your daily driving habits. Here are some key points to help you get started. Drive slower: The faster you drive, the more energy (fuel) is required to maintain speed. If you drive slower, your car will use less energy and overall fuel consumption will be drastically reduced. Increasing your highway cruising speed from 90km/h to 120km/h can raise fuel consumption as much as 20%. You can improve your fuel mileage 10 – 15% by driving at 90km/h rather than 104km/h. Drive smoother: Aggressive accelerating and braking quickly or unnecessarily can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. To reduce fuel consumption, rather accelerate slowly and smoothly. When braking, apply the brakes gently or alternatively take your foot off the accelerator. Change gears properly: Changing gears at the right time can reduce fuel consumption. It’s important to change gears without putting the engine under unnecessary strain. Don’t over rev the engine while changing gears, rather change gears smoothly to reduce fuel consumption. Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel; so does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners. Read the traffic: Anticipating the traffic and road ahead can reduce fuel consumption. For example, if a traffic light in the distance turns red, don’t speed up to it and brake suddenly to a stop. Rather reduce your speed or coast’ towards the traffic light. Be aware of traffic and the road ahead of you and drive accordingly to improve your fuel efficiency. Avoid excessive idling: Idling consumes fuel. If you are idling for longer than one minute, rather turn your engine off. The amount of fuel used to restart your engine is minimal compared to idling for long periods of time. Plan and combine trips: Planning and combining your everyday driving trips can reduce your overall fuel consumption. A single, combined trip is more economical than several, separate trips. Minimise use...

]]>With yet another petrol price increase looming, here are some tips on fuel-efficient driving and car maintenance that will help you stretch your paycheque further. If you own a company with a fleet of cars, it’s a great idea to circulate this article through the workplace to also help in reducing company vehicle fuel expenditure.

It’s as simple as making minor tweaks and changes to your daily driving habits. Here are some key points to help you get started.

Drive slower:
The faster you drive, the more energy (fuel) is required to maintain speed. If you drive slower, your car will use less energy and overall fuel consumption will be drastically reduced.

Increasing your highway cruising speed from 90km/h to 120km/h can raise fuel consumption as much as 20%. You can improve your fuel mileage 10 – 15% by driving at 90km/h rather than 104km/h.

Drive smoother:
Aggressive accelerating and braking quickly or unnecessarily can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. To reduce fuel consumption, rather accelerate slowly and smoothly. When braking, apply the brakes gently or alternatively take your foot off the accelerator.

Change gears properly:
Changing gears at the right time can reduce fuel consumption. It’s important to change gears without putting the engine under unnecessary strain. Don’t over rev the engine while changing gears, rather change gears smoothly to reduce fuel consumption.

Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel; so does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners.

Read the traffic:
Anticipating the traffic and road ahead can reduce fuel consumption. For example, if a traffic light in the distance turns red, don’t speed up to it and brake suddenly to a stop. Rather reduce your speed or coast’ towards the traffic light. Be aware of traffic and the road ahead of you and drive accordingly to improve your fuel efficiency.

Avoid excessive idling:
Idling consumes fuel. If you are idling for longer than one minute, rather turn your engine off. The amount of fuel used to restart your engine is minimal compared to idling for long periods of time.

Minimise use of air conditioning:
Using a vehicle’s air conditioner on a hot summer day can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10% in city driving. If it’s cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation on your car instead of the air conditioner. At low speeds, opening the window will also reduce fuel consumption by reducing A/C use. At higher speeds, however, using the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.

Later model cars have more efficient air conditioning units, and the fuel saved by shutting down the A/C is not significant. In newer vehicles, roll up the windows and enjoy the A/C during hot weather.

Reduce drag:
Bicycle racks, roof racks or driving with windows open increases drag which ultimately increases fuel consumption. If you are not using your bicycle or roof rack, rather take it off. Also, rather drive with windows partially open.

Plan a different route:
Use a roadmap (If you are super old school LOL) to plan an easier, less congested route to your destination. Try and avoid heavily congested roads or areas with lots of traffic lights as they will only increase your fuel consumption. I personally would recommend the WAZE app, it offers alternative routes in high traffic situations.

Maintain your car:
Use the correct motor oil: Make sure that when you top-up your motor oil you use the correct grade motor oil for your particular car. Refer to your owner’s manual to see what motor oil is suitable for your car. At Randburg Midas we stock manufacturer approved motor oil for all makes and models of motor vehicles.

Use the right fuel:
Using the wrong fuel for your car can impact fuel consumption negatively. Check your owner’s manual to see what fuel your car is designed to use.

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/tips-on-fuel-efficient-driving/feed/0The importance of good car maintenancehttps://midasrandburg.co.za/the-importance-of-good-car-maintenance/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/the-importance-of-good-car-maintenance/#commentsTue, 12 Jun 2018 08:23:41 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=2966In the tough economic times, we are living in today, the importance of good car maintenance is more relevant now than ever. Whether it is a company or personal car, this advice applies to all. Now is as good a time as any to make sure that you keep up-to-date with regular maintenance services, believes Les Mc Master, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA). “If buying a new car isn’t a priority for financially feasible right now then ensuring your current vehicle or companies feel of vehicles is properly maintained should be,” said Mc Master. To be perfectly honest, if you own a fleet of company vehicles this article might help save you thousands of rands down the road. “Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your car and will result in a better resale price at the end of the day. It is also a cost saver as regular servicing will help you pick up smaller repairs early enough to prevent more serious and costly faults occurring further down the line.” He advises motorists to keep a close eye on the car’s manual and schedule maintenance accordingly. “Even better, set a recurring reminder on your phone to alert you to get your vehicle checked annually. Keeping up with your car’s recommended maintenance schedule can help avoid costly problems with your cooling system, drivetrain, suspension and other components.” Motorists should also ensure their car is serviced by a reputable workshop that only uses quality oil, fluids, and parts. If you are more of a DIY kind of guy and maintain your vehicle your self, the same rules apply. Only using high-quality replacement and services parts, oil and other fluids which are all readily available at affordable prices from us, at Randburg Midas. “While it might sound like an attractive option to service your car as cheaply as possible, the financial implications, in the long run, will outweigh the apparent short-term benefit. It’s never wise to scrimp on your car’s maintenance costs.” In addition to regular maintenance, there are a number of other things motorists can do to extend a car’s life. Motorists should regularly check the level of fluids in their vehicles, such as the antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. These items are conveniently available from Randburg Midas. He also advises motorists to monitor the thickness of their vehicle’s brake pad...

]]>In the tough economic times, we are living in today, the importance of good car maintenance is more relevant now than ever. Whether it is a company or personal car, this advice applies to all.

Now is as good a time as any to make sure that you keep up-to-date with regular maintenance services, believes Les Mc Master, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA).

“If buying a new car isn’t a priority for financially feasible right now then ensuring your current vehicle or companies feel of vehicles is properly maintained should be,” said Mc Master.

To be perfectly honest, if you own a fleet of company vehicles this article might help save you thousands of rands down the road.

“Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your car and will result in a better resale price at the end of the day. It is also a cost saver as regular servicing will help you pick up smaller repairs early enough to prevent more serious and costly faults occurring further down the line.”

He advises motorists to keep a close eye on the car’s manual and schedule maintenance accordingly.

“Even better, set a recurring reminder on your phone to alert you to get your vehicle checked annually. Keeping up with your car’s recommended maintenance schedule can help avoid costly problems with your cooling system, drivetrain, suspension and other components.”

Motorists should also ensure their car is serviced by a reputable workshop that only uses quality oil, fluids, and parts. If you are more of a DIY kind of guy and maintain your vehicle your self, the same rules apply. Only using high-quality replacement and services parts, oil and other fluids which are all readily available at affordable prices from us, at Randburg Midas.

“While it might sound like an attractive option to service your car as cheaply as possible, the financial implications, in the long run, will outweigh the apparent short-term benefit. It’s never wise to scrimp on your car’s maintenance costs.”

In addition to regular maintenance, there are a number of other things motorists can do to extend a car’s life. Motorists should regularly check the level of fluids in their vehicles, such as the antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. These items are conveniently available from Randburg Midas. He also advises motorists to monitor the thickness of their vehicle’s brake pad to prevent the pads from wearing down to the metal.

Fitting cheap is a no-no, substandard brake pads as these, apart from having a poor service life, often do not fit into the brake caliper as they should and in many instances contribute to caliper damage and even brake failure.

At Randburg Midas, we fully agree and place the highest importance on safety! Therefore we only supply manufacturer approved brake pads.

Another tip to make the brakes last longer is to use the handbrake where possible.

Furthermore, inspect your tyres often. Ensure that the wheel geometry is always correct by regularly monitoring the wear pattern and have it attended to when an odd wear pattern is noticed, extending the life of the tyres.

Generally, with modern tyre technology, tyres are no longer rotated. Seek expert advice from the local tyre dealer to ensure that you are kept informed regarding your particular make of tyre.

Most of all, don’t ignore small problems, advises Mc Master.

“Pay close attention to your vehicle’s noises and also to its warning lights and even cosmetic things, like a piece of rubber trim that’s loose. Ignoring a problem only allows it to get worse.

On a closing note, we would like to say thank you to the good people over at News 24 for this informative article.

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/the-importance-of-good-car-maintenance/feed/2Dealing with car accidentshttps://midasrandburg.co.za/dealing-with-car-accidents/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/dealing-with-car-accidents/#respondTue, 15 May 2018 06:00:28 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=2258If you read one thing today, make it this article! Here is your step-by-step guide to dealing with car accidents. From bumper bashings to 10 car pile-ups on the highway, car accidents are an everyday occurrence on South African roads. If the worst happened and you were involved in a car accident would you know what to do at the accident scene? Keep reading to learn what to do. Step 1: Stop and call for help Stop, switch on your hazards to warn other vehicles and climb out of your car if it is safe to do so. Call an ambulance and the police if passengers, drivers or pedestrians are injured. Note: You are required by law to stop your vehicle if you are involved in an accident and commuters and pedestrians are injured or killed or property is damaged. Failing to stop is considered a criminal offense. You can also be criminally charged for failing to help someone who has been hurt in an accident you are involved in, even if the accident was not your fault. Remember, however, that as much as you want to help injured people you should not administer first aid unless you are qualified to do so. Step 2: Clear the road Move any cars that are obstructing the flow of traffic, but be sure to mark their position on the road first with chalk or spray paint if available, or to photograph the scene before the cars are moved. Note: If a person or animal has been injured in the accident do not interfere with the evidence or move any vehicles unless those vehicles are obstructing the traffic completely. Step 3: Assess the damage For insurance purposes take photos of the accident from as many different angles as possible. Take close-up photos of any damage to your car and any other cars involved. Step 4: Questions and answers Take down the following information from all other drivers involved in the accident as well as from people who witnessed the accident: Full names and surnames ID numbers Home, cell and business phone numbers Physical addresses E-mail addresses Vehicle registration Description of the vehicles (make, model and colour) Names and contact details of the police officials, paramedics, and tow truck drivers Your location: street name and suburb The time of the accident Road conditions and visibility Remember to also take note of what happened immediately...

]]>If you read one thing today, make it this article! Here is your step-by-step guide to dealing with car accidents.

From bumper bashings to 10 car pile-ups on the highway, car accidents are an everyday occurrence on South African roads. If the worst happened and you were involved in a car accident would you know what to do at the accident scene? Keep reading to learn what to do.

Step 1: Stop and call for help

Stop, switch on your hazards to warn other vehicles and climb out of your car if it is safe to do so.

Call an ambulance and the police if passengers, drivers or pedestrians are injured.

Note: You are required by law to stop your vehicle if you are involved in an accident and commuters and pedestrians are injured or killed or property is damaged. Failing to stop is considered a criminal offense.

You can also be criminally charged for failing to help someone who has been hurt in an accident you are involved in, even if the accident was not your fault. Remember, however, that as much as you want to help injured people you should not administer first aid unless you are qualified to do so.

Step 2: Clear the road

Move any cars that are obstructing the flow of traffic, but be sure to mark their position on the road first with chalk or spray paint if available, or to photograph the scene before the cars are moved.

Note: If a person or animal has been injured in the accident do not interfere with the evidence or move any vehicles unless those vehicles are obstructing the traffic completely.

Step 3: Assess the damage

For insurance purposes take photos of the accident from as many different angles as possible.

Take close-up photos of any damage to your car and any other cars involved.

Step 4: Questions and answers

Take down the following information from all other drivers involved in the accident as well as from people who witnessed the accident:

Full names and surnames

ID numbers

Home, cell and business phone numbers

Physical addresses

E-mail addresses

Vehicle registration

Description of the vehicles (make, model and colour)

Names and contact details of the police officials, paramedics, and tow truck drivers

Your location: street name and suburb

The time of the accident

Road conditions and visibility

Remember to also take note of what happened immediately before and after the accident, for example, was the other driver drunk, talking on his/her cell or driving too fast.

Note: You need this information if you want to submit a claim to your insurance company or the Road Accident Fund or if you want to claim the cost of the repairs to your car from other drivers.

Step 5: Report the accident to the police

Report the accident to the police within 24 hours. If you are injured or in the hospital and cannot report the incident within 24 hours, do so as soon as you possibly can and explain why your report is delayed.

Note: It is an offense not to report an accident in which another person has been injured or in which someone else’s property has been damaged even if neither of the parties intends taking legal action.

Step 6: Report the accident to your insurance company

Report the accident to your insurance company and submit a claim where relevant.

Note: Report the accident to your insurance company even if you don’t intend submitting a claim to them. This is important because if you caused the accident another party involved in the accident may wish to make a claim against your policy.

Important notes

Write down the name, contact details and vehicle registration number of the tow truck driver and find out where your car is being taken

Final word
A car accident will leave you dazed and confused. Take a moment to collect your thoughts, take a few deep breaths and remember to try and remain as calm as possible.

Step 7: Get a quote on the parts you need for the repair from Randburg Midas
This is the easiest of all the steps, simple speak to us at Randburg Midas for a hassle free quote

]]>https://midasrandburg.co.za/dealing-with-car-accidents/feed/0Volkswagen emissions scandalhttps://midasrandburg.co.za/volkswagen-emissions-scandal/
https://midasrandburg.co.za/volkswagen-emissions-scandal/#respondMon, 26 Mar 2018 12:02:44 +0000http://midasrandburg.co.za/?p=2762This is a bit of a blast from the past but super interesting never the less. In this video, we take a look at the Volkswagen emissions scandal as a timeline. Volkswagen rigged 11 million vehicles to cheat on emissions tests, costing the company billions in fines and fixes. Watch this video for a breakdown of the scandal We would like to give a shout out and stay a big thank you o the awesome people over at CNN Money for this epic video. Don’t forget to hit the like and subscribe button for more awesome content! For more information: Call or WhatsApp (082) 882-6324 | (011) 789-4411 / 011 036-0200 | marco@midasrandburg.co.za | 191 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg. Connect with us and share your photos of your goodies from Randburg Midas and tag @RandburgMidas Source: CNNMoney